Bomb-carrying apparatus for aircraft



Nov 16, 1948..

c. c. SLATE BOMB-CARRYING APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1, 1941 //v vsxvrolz 1 0.400: C. 5LAT fol TM: FIRM Arrow: 0

NOV. 16, 1948. Q Q SLATE BOMB-CARRYING APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1941 /N\/NTOR/ CLAUDE C. \SLA TE B HARE/J mac/4 Fosrz a HARR/J FDA THC FIRM Nov. 16, 1948.

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Nov. 16, 194.8. Q SLATE 2,453,869

BOMB-CARRYING APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT o l"' 0 6r A H R/J, K1504, 7 0 HA ERAS T A T TOQNE Yd Nov. 16, 1948. c. c. SLATE I v BOMB-CARRYING APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fixed Aug. 1, 1941 Nov. 16, 1948. CQSLATE BOMB-CARRYING APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 1, 1941 "111/11, 1 I ll INVENTOR/ CLAUDE C. SLATE mkmqmcogmr a HARR/q ATTO NEKS Nov. 16,1948. c. c. SLATE BOMB-CARRYING APPARATUS FOR AIRCRAFT Filed Aug. 1, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 6.4 4 TION 7 JTA T/ON e V lNVENTOb a CLAUDE C. 614 TE HARRAS, K/ECH Fears; a NARA/.5 at ten 1 4' IM A TTOENE K5 tus commonly known as bombs during flight.

Patented Nov. 16, 1948 'Ci aude c. Slate,

s, PATENT OFFICE 2,453,869 Q 1;." pomp-CARRYING APPARATUS Foa V AIRCRAFT Burbank, Calm, asslgnor to Hughes Tool Company, Houston, 'lex., a cor-- 7 h poration of Delaware Application August 1, IML'SCHN No. 405,010

cted to an apparamb rack together The present invention is with ass'ociatedmechanis craft for-transporting and releasing aerial bombs.

The-g'eneraIQ obJect of the finvention is to provide a-bomb-carryingapparatus that aflordsa rapidjan'cl fool-proof loadingp'rocedure requiring little skill, thatis both simple'and dependable in flight operation, and'that "may beinspected, serviced, and repaired to a major extent with exceptional convenience and Withoutloss of flyl 'llitlrne v a 54 Claims. (cl. a9-1.5)'

ployed in an Iair-v rious shackle stations thereby permit simplification oi the permanently withflreference loading airplane with bombs, the. various procedures heretofore followed all involve considerablermanual effort and afford so many opportunities for serious oversight that only highly trained and proven personnel may be employed. For example, the loading'crew is' usually placedrunder the mental burden of remembering to cock releasemecha- IllSl'JS for individual bombs, which mechanisms One object I ..vide interchangeable' self-sumcient shackle units ,of rugged and efllcient construction and to pro- I vide suitable cooperating structure in the air-,-

installed mechanical structure at the shackle stations; v. of the invention,;then', is to proplane. One advantage of such an arrangement is'that important-parts of the control mechanism may be inspected, serviced, and repaired apart from the aircraft and without craft out of action. 7

With reference to saving labor and with-special reference to imposing a foolproof procedure on taking the air-'- the loading crew, I propose to provide various would otherwise be inoperative to release the One of the important objects of my invention is to achieve a substantially foolproof apparatus that imposes on theiloadink crew in an inescapable manner all of the steps essential to prepare the apparatus for emcient operation in flight. It is contemplated that the apparatus will, in effect, lead even inexperienced men tofollow an ideal procedure and will abso lutely preclude any difllculties in the course ,of flight or bombing operations arising from prior ineptness or negligence on the part of the loading crew.

A bomb-carrying apparatus of the general type under consideration includes a support or frame in the-bomb bayof anairplane and includes shackles adapted for removable mounting on the frame at spaced shackle stations thereon. In the shackles being simple linking members with relatively few movable parts. One conception char.- acterizing my invention is that certain advantages may be achieved by incorporating important parts of the control mechanism in eachshackle. In other words, instead of employing relatively simple shackles'in cooperation with complicated control means permanently installed at the vaautomatic and interlocking steps in the procedure of loading and preparing a bombing plane for action. More specifically, some of these objects include: to adapt the shackle units for engagement with the bombs in response to manual movement of the shackle units against the bombs; to provide for cocking of the release mechanism in response to the same movements of the shackle units against the bombs; to provide a mechanism that cannot remain in its engagement position without being at the same time properly'cocked for subsequent operation during flight; and to provide for automatic engagement of the shackle units with the supporting frame in the aircraft in response to movem'ent of the shackle units to the stations.

Also included in this group are certain objects relating to a control circuit for operating the shackle units. It is essential that each shackle unit be connected into the control circuit for operative response thereto, and it is further essential that the control circuit be effective to release bombs in proper sequence regardless of whether or not the shackle units are omitted from the sup porting apparatus and regardless of whether or not the bombs are absent from shackle units at shackle stations. One object here is to provide for automatic electrical connection of the control circuit with each shackle unit in the course of preparing the aircraft for flight. Another object is to provide automatic switches responsive to shackle units and responsive to engagement means in the shackle units whereby the control circuit is automatically adjusted to the number and distribution of bombs on the aircraft.

Other objects relate to'operation of the apparatus in the course of flight. In a control sysin the aircraft, I propose to transfer important elements of the control, and release mechanism to theshackle itself and tem widely employed heretofore, one control member at the bombardier's station is adjustable to cause a bomb to be armed ordisarmed; and a I second control member at the bombardiers station operates to release the bomb. In such a system a duplicate control member for controlling release of bombs is at the pilot station, but the pilot is afforded no control for arming and dis- 1 arming the 'bombs. One object of the present invention is to eliminate the necessity for a separate manual control for the .arming and disarming-of bombs and to make such arming and disarming entirely automatic. arrangement to be described hereinafter, a single control at the bombardiers station is movable from a normal position to aiiring position and to an emergency release position, and automatic means is provided to cause bombs to-be armed only when dropped while the control means isat the firing position. Another object of the present invention is to provide a control system- In the particular illustrative that is fully responsive to control means at two or more stations, whereby thepllot as well as the bombardier may have complete control over the bombs.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the more detailed description to follow, taken with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, which are to be regarded as illustrative only:

Fig. 1 is a diagramatic view in perspective showing my bomb control apparatus and associated mechanism installed in an aircraft;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section'through the air-- craft showing in elevation the apparatus in the course of the loading procedure;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the apparatus on an enlarged scale. part of the structure being broken aw y;

I Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing a shackle unit mounted on the frame" in engagement with a bomb, the shackle unit being electrically disconnected; Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the shackle.v

of a: portion of the shackle'unit mechanism just aiter the bomb bay doors are closed;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line 9-3 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line Ill-ill of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary section taken as indicated by the line ll-ll of Fig. 8;

Fig. 12 is a view in side elevation showing two interlocked handles for dual control;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged section taken as indicated by the line |3|3 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a wiring diagram of a control circuit Fig. 1 shows a fo erally designated 20 leading rearward to a support means in the form of a frame generally designated 2| in the bombbay of the airplane fusela e 22, and shows eight bombs .3 held by individual shackle units 5 at eight shackle stations on the frame. The mechanical linkage 20 which may be controlled either by a bombardierfs lever 23 or in emergency by a pilots lever 25 is movable to four dispositions, namely: a' normal disposition at which the doors 26 (Fig. 2) of the bomb bay are closed and all of the bombs are locked against release, the arrangement being such that any bomb accidentally released will be released in unarmed state; a door-opening position at which the bomb release mechanism is still looked; a firing disposition at which the doors 26' of the bomb bay are open and the shackle units are unlocked to permit operation for release of the bombs in armed state in response to a control circuit; and an emergency disposition toward which the linkage may be shifted while the doors of the bomb bay are still open to release the bombs consecutively from the shackle units in unarmed state. v

As shown in Fig. 3, each of the bombs B has a pair of spaced metal support loops 21 adapted to enter slots 28 in the lower edge of a shackle unit for engagement therein by suitable bomb-engagement means generally designated 30. The bomb has forward and rearward air wheels 3| similar in construction to rotary propellers, the rearward air wheel being inside a tail assembly 32 of guide vanes. The bomb is provided with an arming means in the form of a wire 33 normally having its opposite ends blocking rotation of the air wheels 3|, the wire having a central loop or arming ring 35 adapted to extend into a slot 36 in a shackle unit and to be engaged therein by an arm- 4o ing member 31. Whether or not a bomb released by a shackle unit is armed or unarmed depends that may be employed in the practice of the I invention.

The general arrangement An understanding of the invention may be approached by initially describing the preferred form of the invention in a general manner and later describing the details of the construction.

upon whether or not the arming member 31 retains the arming ring 35 and thereby separates the wire 33 from the bomb to permit the air wheels 3| to rotate as the bomb drops through the air. If the wire 33 remains on the falling bomb in the position shownin Fig. 3, the bomb will be in unarmed state and will not explode.

As shown in Fig. 2, the frame 2| in the bomb bay includes on each side a pair of parallel frame members orrails 38 and each of the rails provides longitudinal channels 40 shown in section in Fig.

7 and again in elevation in Fig. 9. Each of the shackle units S has a pairof projections in the form of tubular trunnions 4| .that are dimensioned to slide in the channels 40. Preparatory to loading a bomb a shackle unit separated from the frame 2| is moved aggressively against the bomb to cause the bomb loops 2! to aggressively enter the slots 28 and thereby cause the engagement means 30 in the shackle unit to automatically engage the bomb. In the preferred loading procedure two separate hoist means represented by two separate hoist cables 42' (Fig. 2) are attached to. opposite ends of a sling 43 in which the bomb is cradled for elevation to a shackle station. The two hoist cables 42 are then moved relative to each other as required to rotate the bomb to a position such asshown in Fig. 2 to permit the trunnions ll of the shackle unit to be guided into the lower ends of the channels" on one side of the frame 2|. A loading crew of only .two men is required, one to manipulate the hoist means and the other to guide the bomb .may comprise the combination of a pivoted supelectrical connecting means Ii are cocked as soon I as the two uppermost bombs on opposite sides of port arm 48 and a-pivoted locking arm I. The

--arrangement is such that both arms 4! and at a shackle station automatically retract to permit upward movement of a shackle trunnion through the shackle statiombut become eilective automatically to engage and lock a shackle trunnion when the trunnion is moved downward into the shackle station. In the loading procedure each shackle unit in turn is guided up the pair of channels to a level above a desired shackle station and then lowered into final locked position at the station.

shackle units in the bomb bay are Each 01' the shackle units, as shown in Fig. 4. I

houses mechanical means including a slide rod generally designated 41 that is mechanically responsive to the previously mentioned control link age II for the release of bombs. -The slide rod 41 extends into one of, the trunnions II and when the shackle unit is mounted on the frame II at a shackle" station, the end of the slide rod ll is opposite an operating member in the iorm'oi' a plunger 48 on the frame I I, the operating plunger ll being foperatlvely connected to the control linkage-IO. I

Each shackle unit also houses electricallyactuated means including a solenoid "that may be energized by a control circuit likewise to re lease bombs. For electrically connecting the shackle unit to a control circuit in the airplane,

two complementary fittings'are provided, one fitting ll fixedly mounted in the other shackle.

trunnion ll and a second fitting II mounted on a plunger 52 atthe shackle station. The plunger '2 is surrounded by a suitable spring I! that urges the plunger toward the shackle trunnion. The plunger 52 carries a transverse bar 5! adapted for engagement by a pivoted latch'lever it to hold the fitting or electrical connecting means Ii in cocked or'inefi'ective position as shown in Fig. 4. The bar 85 has a slot 51 in its upper end through which the latch lever 58 extends, the latch lever being adapted to releasably engage the lower edg of the slot. g

when the electrical connecting means or fitting II is released from its inefiective cocked position,

the spring It causes longitudinal movement-. 0! the plunger. If at such times shackle unit is mounted at the shackle station, the released electrical connecting means Bl will stop at an of.-

fective position shown in Figs. 5,6, and 8 in engagement with the fitting ill, thereby connecting the solenoid 49 with the control circuit on the 1 aircraft. -In the absence of a shackle unit at the shackle station the released plunger will continue to a third or blockingposition shown at 8B in Fig. 3, at which blocking position the electrical connecting means 5i extends into the channel 40 to bar any passage oi a shackle trunnion through the shackle station. It is apparent that this arrangement forces a member of the loading crew to cook an electrical connecting means 5| prior to any movement of a shackle unit into or through the corresponding shackle station, and

if all of the shackle stations are utilized in a loading procedure, all of the electrical connecting means II are necessarily cocked in the course of the procedure. Since the upper shackle stations are loaded first and since each'upper bomb must pass through all of the stations below. all of the position whenever the the rame are mounted for flight.

On each side of the frame II is a release rod ll interlocked with the control linkage 2. to release automatically all the cooked electrical connecting means ll whenever the doors 2| oi the bomb bay are closed at the end of a loading procedure. The human element, then. does not enter into the question oi' whether or not all electrically connected to the control circuit.

Whenever an electrical connecting means II is released in the absence of a shackle unit at a shackle station, the resultant movement of the electrical connecting means to the third or blocking position shown at I! in Fig. 3 causes the transverse bar to press against and operate a skip switch II, the skip switch bein moved from a first position to a second position to cause the control circuitto be connected to the next shackle station inthe predetermined sequence of stations. Inside each shackle unit is a second skip switch 63 that is moved from a first position to'a second solenoid 4 9; is deenergiz'ed and at the same time the bomb-engagement means 30 of the shackle unit isin released'position, the second skip switch likewise causing the control circuit to be connected to the next shackle station in the-sequence. In other'words, when a bomb isinstalled at a shackle statlon the second skip switch in the shackle unit is made effective 6 to switch the control circuit to the next station only when the solenoid in the shackle unit is energized to release" a ,bomb' and then'is deenergized shackle station vii'rloadeti, the 'swltchbeing responsive to-thefbomb-engagement means 30,

The arming member Ilas shown in Fig. 4 normally only yieldinglyengages an arming ring 35.

so that thearming ring may easily escape it the bomb is released. The slide rod 41 controls an arming lever 65 and is movable to three positions. Whenever the control linkage 20 is in either its first or second position, i. e.. in its normal position or its door-opening position,'the:sllde rod 41 is in the normal position shown in- Fig. 4, and at such time the slide rod blocks electrical or accldental release by the bomb-engagement means '30 and also holds the arming lever 65 at an infl'ec-' tive position with'respect to the arming member 31. If a bomb were to become released under these conditions by structural failure, the arming ring 35 on the bomb would readily escape from the shackleunit and the released bomb would not be in a condition to'explode. In the second or firing position of the slider rod 41 shown in Fig. 5, the bomb-engagement means 30 is free to release a bomb in response to energization of the control circuit on the'airplane. At such time the arming leverti blocks release movement of the arming member 31 so that the arming ring 35 oi the bomb is retained in a positive manner when the bomb. is released, the retention of the arming ring causingthe released bomb to be in I i 7 an armed state to explode. In movement. oi the slide rod 41 to the third or emergency position shown in Fig. 6, which movement occurs in response to shifting of the control linkage toward its emergency position, the slide rod causes the bomb-engagement means 30 to release the bomb in an emergency when explosion of the released bomb is not desired. It will be noted in Fig. 6 that the arming lever is swung clear of the arming member 31 thereby to permit the arming member to release the arming ring 20 readily. The various operating plungers I! that control the various slide rods 41 in the shackle units are in turn controlled by a cam bar 08 that causes the bombs to be dropped successively in the predetermined sequence as the control linkage 20 progresses beyond the previously mentioned firing position of the control linkage to the final emergency position.

The forward control linkage The portion of the control system forward of the-bomb bay may be constructed as shown by way'of example in Figs. 1, l2, and 13.

The previously mentioned bombardier's lever 20 extends through a, slot 01 in a small housing 00 and is pivotally mounted on a suitable screw 10. Associated with the bombardiers lever is a curved rack II in the housing 00, the curved rack being mounted on a pair of spaced bolts 12 and being formed with a curved slot 13 having various recesses corresponding to various positions of the bombardiers lever. One recess (not shown) is engaged by the bombardiers lever in the position 0! the leverishown in lull lines of Fig. 12, which I position corresponds to the normal position oi the control linkage 20 with the doors" of the bomb bay closed. A second recess indicated at 15 in Fig. 12 corresponds to the position of the control linkage at which the doors of the bomb bay are opened, but the various shackle units are To shift the lever from one position to another the bombardier grasps the handle portion 01 for longitudinal movement to unseat the locking pin 00 and to facilitate such longitudinal movement may place his thumb on the protruding end portion 08 of the inner tubular member 00.

Secured within the'housing "by the previously mentioned bolts 12 is a fixed plate 00 having a downwardly inclined extension 0|. transverse locking pin 86 is connected by adink 92 to an angular arm 83 that is mounted on the extension Si by a suitable pivot pin 00. The angular arm 93', which comprises a pair of spaced parallel bars, carries at its outer end a small .pivoted block 80. A suitable springs! extends in tension between the pivoted block and the inclined extension 0i. The function of this spring is to urge the angular arm 03 downward continuously and thereby through the medium of the link 02 continuously urge the locking'pln 00 in a direction to favor engagement with one of the recesses in the curved rack *II.

A rearward extension I00 01' the tubular base member 02 is pivotally connected to a rearwardly locked against electrical release of bombs. When the bombardiers lever is moved from engagement with the recess 15 to engagement with a third recess 10 corresponding to the firing position of the control linkage 20, the shackle'un'its are unlocked to permit release of the bombs in response to energization of the control circuit. when the bombardiers lever 23 is advanced beyond the third recess 10 toward a final recess 11, itpasses through a range of positions in which the various shackle units are mechanically operated in suc- 'cession to release 'the bombs.

The bombadiers lever 23 comprises two parts adapted for relative longitudinal movement, the

two parts being an inner tubular member 00 and an .outer tubular member ii. The inner tubular member 00 is seated in 'a' tubular base member 02 and fixedly retained therein by a transverse bolt 02(3'18. 12). Both the inner and the outer tubular members form a pair or diametrically opposite slots 04 surrounding the curved rack II and the inner tubular member has a second pair of diametrically opposite slots 05 to accommodate a transverse locking pin 00 that cooperates-with the rack. The locking pin 00 is carried by'the outer-tubular member 0| and 1- I tends through the curvedslot l3 0! the rack II to retractably seat in the various rack recesses. The outer tubul armember II slidingly embraces the inner tubular member 00 and is formed with a handle portion 01. Normally, the locking pin 00 is in erse of the rack'recesses and at such time thefouter tubular member 0| .ls slightly retracted from theouter end of theinner. tubular member.

75. lever.

extending operating rod II, which rod may be adjustable in length as indicated in the drawings; The operating rod I0l controls a rocker shalt I02 by acting on a rocker arm I00 and thereby controls a second rocker arm I06 on the shaft that is connected in turn to a rearwardly extend= ing operating rod I06.

The pilot's control lever general construction as the-above described bom bardiers lever 23. Thus, an inner tubular member I01 is secured to a base portion I00 by a transverse bolt H0. The base portion I00 '15 mounted on'a suitable pivot III and has a for- .w-ard extension H2 connected to the previously mentioned operating rod I06 and has a rearward extension H3 connected to a. rearwardly extendlng operating rod iii. In the manner previously described, the inner tubular member I01 of the pilot's lever has diametrical slots (not shown) to clear a guide plate IIO that has a curved slot Ill. The guide plate IIB corresponds to the curved rack II but unlike the curved rack lacks any-locking recesses. The inner tubular member I01 01' the pilots lever also has slots (not shown) to accommodate a transverse pin IIB that "is carried byan outer tubular member H0. The outer tubular member IIiI, which has a handle portion I20 and has a slot- (not shown) to clear the guide plate. I I0 slidingly embraces the innertubular member Ill and may be moved longi tudinally thereon to lift the transverse pin H0. A release cablev I2I connected to the transverse pin II! by asmall stirrup I22 passes around a guide pulley I22 near the pivot l I I, passes around two additional guide pulleys I25, and at the bom-' bardiers station passes around a guide-pulley I20 in the housing 60 to terminate at the previously.

mentioned pivoted block on the end of the angular arm'fl.

By virtueot the above described arrangement, the pilots lever 25 is interlocked with the bombardiers lever 23' and automatically follows movements ofthe bombardiers lever. Longitudi- The as is of the same,

linkage 2i by swinging the pilot's.

bomb bay.

- In the particmararrangement shown in Fig. 1

the operating rod I I5 is connected to the operating arm I21 of a control valve I28 in ahydraulic a second rocker arm I82 that is connected. by an operating rod I88 to a rocker arm I84 on an upper rocker shai't I86, and the upper rocker shaft carries two additional rocker arms I86from which'a corresponding pair of operating rods I81 extends over opposite Mechanism on the bomb bay jram'e As shown in Fig. 7 each 01' the rails 28 Ln the frame 2'I' of the preferred form of the invention is an extruded beam'having an outer side wall I I4I; an inner side wall I42, an interconnecting each rail 38 to cooperate with the rail in enclosing various movable; parts that are mounted on the rails. f I

As best shown in Fig. 9 the previously mentioned support arm 45 at each of the shackle stations on a. rail'88 is mounted on a pivot I41 between the two webs-of the rail, the pivot being to sides of the frame 21 in thethe pair of side rails 88, the two arms being in.

terconnected by a rod I58. The rearward rocker arm I56 is mounted on one end of a shaft I86 in a. hearing I", and the other end of the shaft carries a rocker arm I62 that actuates the previously mentionedcam bar 66 through the medium of a'suitable link I63, the link being connected to a stud I64 (Fig. 7') on the'cam bar.-

The cam bar 68, which is l -shaped in cross section, slidingly extends through brackets I65 that are mounted on the rear rail at each of the shackle stations. Each of the brackets carries a roller I66 (Fig.4) on a fixed pivot I61 for rotary contact with the rear otthe cam bar. The previously mentioned operating plunger 48 at each i of the shackle stations for actuating a slide rod 41 in a shackle unit is slidingly mounted in a block I68 at the base of the corresponding cam bracket I65, and carries at its outer end a roller I16, the roller being mounted on a suitable pin "I that slidin'gly extends through guide slots I12 in the arms or the bracket. Suitable means such as a spring I18 (Fig, 6).is provided to continuously urge each of the operating plungers 48 outward against the cam bar 66. g f 'i A. i

In the region of each shackle station the forward or cam edge of the cam bar I56-forms a dwell I16 that corresponds to the movement of the control linkage 26 between the normal position of the control linkage with the bomb bay doors closed and the position of the control linkage at the end of the opening movements ofvthe door.

one side of the rail channel 46 to permit the'support arm to swing clear of the channel. A. suitable spring I 48 continuously urges the support arm 45 into the eflective position shown in full lines in Fig. 9.- The locking arm 46 that is associated with the support arm 45 at each shackle station is 'mountedon a. pivot I56 that is likewise located to one side of the rail channel to permit the locking member to swing clear 01 the channel. Normally the locking arm 46 is in the effective position shownin full lines in Fig. 9,

the locking arm being urged clockwise by a spring I5I against a stop pin I52. When a trunnion H of a shackle unit is in normal position at the shackle station, it rests in a curved seat I53 formed in the support arm and at such time the associated locking arm 46 overhangs the trunnion to prevent accidental dislodgment of the Throughout this range of movement on the part of the control linkage no mechanical forces are transmitted to the shackle units by the various operating plungers 48. The dwells I16 areof uniform position and dimension at the various shackle stations and each leads to a rise I11 on the cam bar that causes the operating plunger 48 to move inward sufllciently to cause the slide rod 41 in the associated shackle unit to move from its normal position shown in Fig. 4 to its second or firing position shown in Fig. 5. All of the various slide rods 41 in the shackle units are moved simultaneously in this manner whenever the control linkage 26 is moved beyond the door opening position of the control linkage represented by the trunnion. If a shackle station is not occupied, the I trunnion of a shackle unit moving upward into the shackle station will force the support arm to the dottedposition of Fig. 9, and the toe I55 of the support arm will strike the locking arm 46 andiorce the locking arm clear as indicated in Fig. 9. After the trunnion of the shackle unit is moved high enough to permit the support arm to swing back to normal position, the trunnion may be lowered into the seat I68 whereupon the locking arm returns automatically to its effective position. The locking arm 46 at one end of a mounted shackle unit may be manually swung out of the way to free one of the shackle trunnions which may then be raised to tilt the shackle unit out of engagement with the two rails without the necessityof moving the shackle unit down the rails to the entrance ends of the rail channels.

Each of the rearmost operating rods I81 oi the control linkage 26 is operatively associated with one ofv the pairs of cooperating rails 36 on a side of the bomb bay. As shown in Fig. 5, each of the operating rods I81 controls a rearward rocker arm I56 and a forward rocker arm I51 at the top of recess 15 in Fig. 12 to the firing position 01' the control linkage represented by the recess 16 in Fig. 12.

Adjacent the rise I11 the cam bar 66 has at each shackle station a dwell I18 that represents movement of the control linkage into the range of emergency positions of the control linkage. The dwells I18 at the various shackle stations vary in length and each terminates in a final rise I88 that causes the associated operating plunger 48 to move the slide rod 41 of the corresponding; shackle unit from the firing position of the slide rod shown 'inFig. 5 to the third or emergency position of the slide rod shown in Fig. 6. Each final rise I86 is followed by a final dwell I. Since there is a cam bar 66 on each side of the bomb bay and since it is leased in an alternate manner with respect to the two sides of the bomb bay, the sequence being upward, the rise portions I86 on the two cam bars are arranged in staggered relation to carry out the predetermined sequence.

preferred sequence.

The forward rocker arm I51 'is carried by a bracket I82 on a forward rail 38. The bracket I82 as best shown in Fig. 8 is bored to provide a cylinder I83 for an inclined plunger I85. The plunger I85 is in the 'path of the rocker arm I51 required that the bombs be re-' Fig. 14 indicates the L 11 v and is continuously urged toward the rocker arm by a concealed spring I36 acting against a head ill on the end or the plunger, the upward movement the plunger being limited by a flange I33 on the lower protruding end of the plunger. Noradjacent the previously mentioned latch lever 56 on the same pivot. When the inclined plunger I35 rocks the lever I33, a laterally extending pin I32 on the lever I33 moves against an arm of the latch lever 56 to trip the latch lever and thereby releases the corresponding plunger 52 carrying the corresponding electrical fitting 51.

The outer arm of the lever I90 is pivotally connected to the previously mentioned release rod that extends downwardly to the various shackle stations below. As shown in Fig. 3 the release rod 63 is connected at each shackle station to a lever I90 which is adapted to trip the associated latch lever 56 at the shackle station. Each latch lever is urged toward its latching position by a suitable spring I93 (Fig. 8). It will be noted that the described arrangement permits each of the latch levers 56 to be tripped independently of movement on thepart of the associated lever I33, and it will be further noted that each latch lever Biextends through a slot I33 in the sheet metal housing I so that the latch levers may be individually tripped manually when desired.

As best shown in Fig. 8, each of the plungers 52 that carries the electrical fitting ii at a shackle station is of hollow construction and has an external handle I33 on a stem I81 that extends through the sheet metal housing I. Each of Y the plungers 32 is slidingly mounted in a cylindrical body I93 on the rail 33. The previously mentioned spring 53 that urges the plunger inwardly is enclosed in the cylindrical body I33. The electrical fitting II that is carried by the plunger extends through a circular aperture 230 in the rail 33 and is provided with a radial flange 2M that serves two purposes, first, to receive pressure from the previously mentioned spring" for urging the plunger inwardly, and, second, to'abut the rail around the aperture 203 to limit the inward movement 01' the plunger at the previously mentioned third position of the plunger. When the plunger is in its third position, the portion of the transverse bar 53 extending downwardly from the plunger depresses an operating plunger 202 of the previously mentioned skip switch 8|. The switch 3!. which is or a type known to the art as a micro" switch, is normally in its first position and is moved to its second position whenever the operating plunger 202 is moved inward.

As indicated in. Fig. 8, the fitting Ii encloses three insulated contacts in concentric disposition to cooperate with three complementary in sulated contacts in the complementary fitting SI. Thus, an inner contact in-the form of a pin 233 is adapted to fit ina bore 2" in a complementary A contact 231 in the fitting 50, an intermediate tubular contact 233 is adapted to telescope into the end or a complementary tubular contact H0 in 12 the fitting 3,0, and a l outer tubular contact 2" is adapted to teleschpe into a complementary tubular contact H2 in the fitting 30. When the two fittings ill and ii are in mutual engagement they electrically connect three wires in the plunger 52 with three corresponding wires in theshackle unit as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

Detailed construction of a. shackle unit Each oi the shackle units S includes two separable complementary casing sections 2 I I to form a suitable housing for the shackle mechanism, the two casing sections being rectangular in general configuration and having matched marginal flanges 2 I 5 toserve as top, bottom, and end walls. Each of the previously mentioned trunnions ll is a cylindrical member with a peripheral groove 2li (Fig. 8) for engagement by a complementary curved lip 2 l 8 on one of the previously mentioned support arms 43 on the trame 2l.- Each of the tubular trunnion members is mounted in a bore 220 provided by a block 22l,-the block 22l being in turn mounted on'one or the casing sections M5 by a suitable screw 222.

The previously mentioned bomb-engagement means 33 incorporated in each of the shackle units includes two rotary hooks 223 associated .with each of the vengagement slots 23 of the shackle units. The two rotary hooks 223 are mounted on pivots 225 and have operating arms 228 that are connected by suitable pins 221 to the opposite ends of a longitudinal member generally designated 223, the longitudinal member serving to interconnect the two rotary hooks for movement in unison. Adjacent each of the engagement slots 28 the shackle unit is reinforced bya pair of complementary blocks 230, the blocks being on opposite faces of the rotary hooks 223 and being cut away to provide working clearance for the rotary hooks. Each of the rotary hooks 223 has an engagement recess or mouth 23! which As shown in Figs. 4, 8, and 11, the longitudinal member 223 interconnecting the two rotary hooks 223 may comprise a pair of spaced parallel straps 232 reinforced atpeach end by shorter straps 233. At one end the two straps 232-are interconnected by rivets 235 and 233, each of which is surrounded by a suitable spacer sleeve 2". A suitable coiled spring 238 acting in tension between the rivet 235 and a fixed stud 240 continuously urges the longitudinal member 223 to the right as, viewed in the drawings, thereby continuously urging the engagement mechanism toward its release position. 'The-previouslymentioned indicator switch 34 is provided with a flexible arm 2 that lies in the path of movement of the rivet 236. When'the engagement mechanism is in its engagement position as shown in Fig. 4, the rivet 236 is spaced away from the flexible arm 2 and the indicator switch 64 is in its first position. In the release position of the engagement mechanism the rivet 236 presses against the flexible arm 2 as shown in Fig. 6 and thereby depressesa small plunger 242 to hold the indicator switch 8| in its second position.

At-the other end or the lon itudinal member I 223 the two straps 232 are interconnected by a pair of rivets 233 that extendthrough aspacer block 246 and the spacer block is formed with a an upwardly extending engagement shoulder 246.

Above the longitudinal member 226 is a first or primary sear 241 mounted on a Pivot 246,. the sear having an engagement shoulder 266 to cooperate with the engagement shoulder 246 and having a downwardly extending toe 26!. If the longitudinal member 226 is moved from its release position through its engagement position to a third limit position (not shown in the drawings),

the longitudinal member or someelement movable therewith strikes the toe 26! to. rotate the sear 241 into the cocked position of the sear shown in Fig. 4 to block the return movement of the longitudinal member from the engagement position shown in Fig. 4. In my preferred construction the toe 26i' extends between the planes defined by the two straps 232 and is acted upon by the curved end 262 (Fig. 8) of the operating arm one of the rotary 226 that extends upward from hooks 223.

Mounted in the swinging end of the first sear parallel links 266- with a second pin 266 in the end of an angular cocking lever 26-1, The cocking .lever'261which ismounted ona pivot266 is formed with a, small finger 266; that extends downward'to the exterior of theshackle unit for 'manual manipulation. At the cooked position oi the'cocking lever best shown in Fig. 8 an engagement shoulder 26l on the cocking'lever is abutted by a complementary engagement shoulder 262 of a second sear generally designated 253. v Preferably a suitable spring 265 .wrapped around the pivot 266 and anchored toa stud 266 continuously urgesi the cocking lever 261 toward .its release position shown in Fig. 6.

' Asbest shown in,

ing rod is effected by a cross pm 211. The cross pin 211 not only extends through the plunger and operating rod but also through the operating arm 266 of the second sear 266.- The outer end of the operating rod 214' is formed as a clevis 216 that is connected pin 216 to a bellcrank 266. The bell-crank is in the form of a triangular plate mounted on a pivot 26! and is positioned to rotate against an operating plunger 262 for controllingthe skip switch 63.

Yielding means to urge the second sear 262 clockwise into engagement with the cocking lever '261 may be in the form of a suitable helical.

spring 263 embracing the solenoid plunger 213 between the solenoid 46 and the clevis 216. Counter-clockwise rotation of the second sear 263 a from the engagement position shown in'Fig. 8

.241 is a pin 263' that is connected'by a pair of.

not onl results in release of-the cocking lever 261, but also hastens the release movement of the engagement mechanism in a positive manner since the kick arm 216 of the second searswings against the cocking lever. Since the cooking lever 261 is connected with'the' first sear 241 through the links 266 the cocking lever throws the first The described arrangement makes it possible 7 to use either one of two procedurestomove the bomb-engagement mechanism from the release shoulder 246 on the longitudinalm'ember 226 and position shown in Fig. 6 to the engagement posi-.

tion shown in Fig. 4. In one procedure, the shackle unit, which has been taken from the bomb bay frame 2|, is moved vigorously into engagement with the support loops 21 of a bomb. The support loops enter the engagement recesses 23l of the rotary hooks 223 and vigorously .force the rotary hooks counter-clockwise. The .lei'tward movement of the longitudinal member 226- past the engagement position of the longitudinal memher acting on the toe 261 rotates the first sear 241 into cocked position. In the other procedure the shackle unit is pressed against the support loops 21 of the bomb less vigorously to force the longitudinal member 226 to its engagement position without acting on the toe 26l', and while the longitudinal member is in the engagement posiail tionthe operator-manipulates the finger 266 to rotate the cooking lever 261 counter-clockwise against the opposition of the spring 266, the

counter-clockwise movement of the cocking lever being translated into clockwise rotation of the first sear 241 through the medium of the intercarries a lateral pm 212. The previously mentioned solenoid 46 in the shackle unit has a movable core (not shown) from which extends a plunger 213 to actuate an operating rod 214.

.sear upward in response to the blow'fro'm the kick arm 216. The cooking lever 261, the links 266 and the first sear 241 in effect constitute a togglelinkage designed to favor rapid operation. The combined eilfectfof the kick arm 216 and the cooking lever spring 266 is to minimize inertia laa and to cause extremely rapid releasing action in response to energization oithe solenoid 46. Rapidity of the releasing action is further favored, by the fact that the engagement the complementary engagement shoulder 266 on the first sear 241 have inclined contact faces asv best indicated in Fig. 8, the'inciination being in I a direction to favor the release action. By virtue of the particular design of the rotary hooks 226 shown in the drawings, the weight of the engaged bomb creates'a releasing moment on the engagementmechanism oi exceptionally high magnitude, favoring exceedingly rapid releasing action on the part of the two rotary hooks as soon as the longitudinal member 226 is released by the first sear 241.

The operating rod 214 connected with the solenoid 46 has three. positions, namely. a retracted position when the solenoid is energized,

- an intermediate position when the solenoid is deenergized while the second sear 263 is cocked, and a third or limit position to which it is urged by the spring 263 when the solenoid is deenergized while the second sear is uncocked. Whenever a .bomb is released by the shackle unit the spring 263 on the solenoid plungerautomatically moves the operating'rod 214 to its third position and thereby forces the bell-crank 266 against the operating plunger 262 to move the skip switch 63 to open position.

The. previously mentioned slide rod 41 in the shackle unit'has a cylindrical portion 266 that is .guided by a bearing 266 and by a bushing 261 in the associated trunnion 4 I. Embracing the cylindrical portion 266 is a, suitable spring 266 that acts between the bearing 266 and a radial fiange 266 to urge the slide rod outward. Unitary with the cylindrical portion 266 of the slide rod is a blade portion '26l that is formed with a Fig.8. the solenoid plunger I iiring position.

longitudinal slot 222, a, locking shoulder 202, and an inclined cam shoulder 22! at the opening to a recess 290. The longitudinal slot 292 surrounds a fixed stop pin 221 that limits the outward movement of the slide rod at the release 5 position shown in Fig. 4, the outer end of the slide rod being substantially fiush with the outer .end of the associated trunnion 4 l.

The slide rod 41 is in its first'position shown in Fig. 4 whenever the control linkage is in '-either the normal closed-door position or in the age 2.0, the plunger 42 at the shackle station moves the slide rod inwardly to a position at which the recess 296 in the blade portion of the'slide rod is opposite the lateral pin 212 and at such time the recess 2" provides clearance for counter-clockwise rotation of the secpnd sear 222 in response to energization oi the solenoid. When the bombardier's lever is shifted from the recess 12 to the final recess 11, each of the slide rods 21 in the various shackle units in its turn is shifted sufilciently to cause the inclined cam shoulder 295 or theslide rod to engage and lift the lateral pin 212, thereby to rotate the second sear 222 out of engagement with the cocking lever 201, whereupon the previously described releasing action of the shackle mechanism is'carried out automatically with extreme rapidity.

For operation of the arming lever 20, the, blade portion of the slide rod 21 is provided with a stud 220 that engages a suitable slot 300 on the end of the arming lever. The previously mentioned arming member 21 below the arming lever 20 may be in the form of a small plate mounted on a pivot IN, the plate having an engagement finger 202. A suitable spring 202 wound around the pivot l and anchored to a stud 200 yieldingly urges the arming member 21 clockwise to a normal position at which the engagement finger 202 extends-across the arming slot 26; A portion 202 of the arming member 21 normally protrudes downward from the shackle unit for manual manipulation by the loading crew whenever it is desirable to retract the engagement finger 202 to admit an arming ring 25 of a bomb. It will be noted that in the normal position of the arming member 21, the engagement finger 202 presentsan inclined surface in contact with the arming ring 25 so that downward pressure by the arming Electrical arrangement The electrical system incorporated in the invention may be designed in the manner suggested by the wiring diagram in Fig. 14, the wiring diagram representing an airplane in flight with bombs at all of the eight shackle stations. Each shackle unit represented by the diagram has three wires connected with an'electrical fitting 00 (not shown in the diagram). One oi the three wires in each shackle unit is a wire 2l0 that leads to the indicating switch 64 in the shackle unit, the indicating switch being grounded. A second wire 2 in each shackle unit leads to the switch arm of the previously mentioned skip switch 82 in the shackle unit. At what has been termed the first position of the skip switch switch 22, the switch arm of the skip switch is circuit represented by a wire 210 and a firing circuit represented by a wire 2.

is in a position to 'block releasing rotation of the arming member 21,'but at the other two positions position in response to any undue downward pressure by an arming ring 25' in the arming slot. The, spring 202 is strong'enough to hold an arming ring 20 eflectively under normalcircumstances but is light enough to insure release of an arming ring if a bomb is released by the shackle-unit while the slide rod 21 is out at the In the indicating circuit the wire M5 which is broken by a master indicating switch2l1 is connected to aseries'o! eight indicating lamps 2i8,

220 is connected to the wire 0 in the correspending shackle unit to complete the lamp circuit. It is apparent that when the master indicating switch M1 is closed, lamps 2i8 representing the loaded shackle stations will be lighted. Whenever a bomb is released from a shackle "station, the indicating switch 62 in the shackle unit is opened in the manner previously described,

thereby deenergizing the corresponding lamp. More than one set 01' indicator lamps 2|! may be used to indicate the status of the apparatus at more than one station on the aircraft.

In the firing circuit the wire 216 is broken by a master firing switch 22! and is connected both to a manually operable control switch 222 and, to an automatic control switch 222, the two switches being in parallel. The automatic control switch 222 may be an intervalometer adapted to open and close at selected time intervals to release bombs at selected spacing. The manual firing switch 222 is used to release the bombs one at a time at the Judgment of the bombardier. The two'switches 222 and 222 are connected by a wire 225 to the outside skip switch 2| at shackle station No. 1, and the skip switch 0|" is in turn connected by the electrical fittings at the shackle station to the wire 2 and the solenoid 42 in the shackle unit. I1 the bomb-engagement mechanism in the shackle unit at the shackle station No- 1 is in its release position, the skip switch 22 in the shackle unit will be in its second position to transmit current-to the wire M2 in the shackle instead of transmitting current to the solenoid 00.

' the wire "I instead of connecting with the wire III at shackle station No. 1 and thereby cuts out the corresponding shackle unit at shackle station No. 1. To complete the firing circuit the following additional wires having the same function as the wire til are shown in Fig. 14: a wire 311 from shackle station No. 2 to the outside skip switch ii at shackle station No. 3; a wire III from shackle station No. 3 to the outside skip switch II at shackle station No. 4; a wire IIII from shackle station No. 4 to the outside skip switch II at shackle station No.5; a wire Ill from shackle station No. 5 to the outside skip switch II at shackle station No. 6; a wire!" from shackle station No. 6 to the outside skip switch Ii at shackle station No. 7; and a wire "I from shackle station No. 7 to the outside'skip switch ii at shackle station No. 8. No return wire from shackle station No. 8 is required.

It is clear that the firing circuit of Fig. 14 is adapted to accommodate itself automatically to the instant number and the instant distribution of bombs carried by the aircraft. If any of the shackle units is omitted, the corresponding outside skip switch Bl at the shackle station automatically operates to cause the circuit to Jump to the next station in the sequence. If a shackle unit is inadvertently mounted at a station without a bomb, the bomb-engagement mechanism of the shackle unit will be in release position, thereby causing the corresponding skip switch 63in the shackle unit to take its second position to cause current to be delivered to the next shackle station instead of to the solenoid in the shackle unit. The bomb load at any instant may be ascertained simply by closing the indicating switch 3 I 1 to energize lamps Ill.

My disclosure in specific detail of the preferred form of the invention will suggest to those skilled in the art various substitutions and changes that do not depart irom my underlying inventive concepts, and I reserve the right to all such variations that lie within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An aircraft apparatus for aerial bombs, comprising: a, frame comprising an upwardly extending guide channel with a lower entrance end, there being a series of shackle stations spaced along said channel; a plurality of bomb shackles having projections for sliding engagement with said guide channel, whereby the shackles loaded with bombs may he carried through said stations; engagement means at said shackle stations along said channel to engage said projections for support of said shackles: means plvotally mounting said engagement means and. adapting the latter to yield to upward movement of said projections; and means loading said engagement means to return the latter to position to block downward movement of said projections and support the same.

2. An aircraft apparatus for aerial bombs, comprising: a frame comprising an upwardly extending guide means with a lower entrance end; a

plurality of bomb shackles having portions for downward movement of said portions; and retractable stops at said shackle stations in the path of said portions when seated on said engagement means to prevent upward movement of said shackle portions when the shackle portions are seated on said engagement means.

3. An apparatus as set forth in. claim 2 in which each oi said stops is mounted on said guide means in the path of the corresponding engagement means and is thereby retractable in response to yielding movement of the corresponding engage-- ment means when no shackle portion is' on the engagement means in the path of the respective stop.

4. An aircraft apparatus for aerial bombs, comprising: a frame providing two spaced parallel upwardly extending guide means having lower entrance ends; a plurality of bomb shackles hav-' ing portions positioned for sliding engagement with said guide means; means at spaced shackle stations along said means to engage said portions for support of said shackles; bomb supporting and releasing means carried by said shackles; and control means including operating members at said shackle stations cooperative with'said releasing means on the shackles for causing said shackles to release bombs in the course of flight while the shackles are retained by said support means.

5. An aircraft apparatus for aerial bombs, comprising: a frame providing two spaced parallel upwardly extending guide means having lower entrance ends; a plurality of shackle units for releasably supporting bombs, each of said shackle units having two portions forsliding engagement respectively with said guide means; means at spaced shackle stations along said means to engage said portions for support of said shackles; releasable bomb engaging means on the shackle unit; electric control means for causing the shackle units to release bombs, said electric control means including conductors at each of said shackle stations for electrical connection with each of said shackle units through one of said portions of the shackle unit; and mechanical control means to cause said shackle units torelease bombs. said mechanical control means including an operative member at each of said stations adapted to transmit force mechanically to each of the shackle units through the other of the shackle portions.

6. In an aircraft having a bomb bay normally closed by door means, the combination therewith of apparatus for handling an aerial bomb having a relatively movable arming means, said apparatus including: a first control means movable from a normal position to a firing\ position; means to open said door means in response to movement of said first control means from said normal position; means to releasably support said bomb; a second 'control means to release said bomb from said support means; means to prevent release of said bomb while said first control means is in said normal position with said door means closed; means normally effective to yieldingly engage said arming means of the bomb in a manner to ermit release of the arming means when the bomb is released by said support means thereby to preclude detonationv of the released bomb; and means effective to engage said arming means in a positive manner whenever said first control means is in said firing position.

I. An apparatus for use with an aerial bomb on an aircraft, said apparatus comprising: a sup port means mounted on the aircraft; a shackle assagsee unit adapted for releasable engagement both with said support means and with said bomb; electrical actuating means carried by said shackle unit to release said bomb; an electric control on the aircraft for operating said electrical actuating means; electrical connecting means carried by the aircraft for interconnecting said electric control and said electrical actuating means when said shackle vunit is en ed with said support means, said; electrical connecting means being movablefbetwe'en an ineflective position and an effective position, said electrical connecting means when at said eil'ective position blocking the path of movement of the shackle unit with respect to saidjsupport means, thereby making it necessary to move the electrical connecting means to its ineffective position to permit operative engagement of the shackle unit with the support means; and remotely controlled means to cause movement of said electrical connecting means from its ineffective position to its eflective position after the shackle unit is operatively en.-

, gaged with the support means.

to open and close said door means; and means to move said electrical connecting means from its inefl ective position to its effective position in response to closing of said door means.

10. An apparatus for use in an aircraft to transport-and release bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by the aircraft; a plurality of shackle units adapted for releasable engagement with said support means; each shackle unit being adapted for releasable engagement with one of said bombs; electrical actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to release the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; an electrical control on the aircraft for operating said electrical actuating means; a plurality of electrical connecting means carried by the aircraft corresponding to said plurality of shackle units for connecting said electrical control with the electrical actuating means on the shackle units, each of said electrical connecting means being movable between an ineffective and an effective position; and a control means effective to cause all of said electrical connecting means to move to said effective positions after various shackle units are engaged with said support means.

11. An apparatus for use in an aircraft to transport and release bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by the aircraft; a plurality-of shackle units adapted for releasable engagement with said support means, each shackle unit being adapted for'releasable I engagement with one of said bombs; electrical control and said electrical actuating means when said shackle unit is engaged with said support means, said electrical connecting means being movable between an inefi'ective position and an efiective position, said electrical connecting means when at its effective position blocldng the path of movement and preventing disengagement or engagement of the shackle unit with said support means, thereby making it necessary to move the electrical connecting means to its inefiective position to permit operative engagement of the shackle unit with the support means; yielding means to urge said electrical connecting means from its ineffective position to its eifective position; latch means to hold said electrical connecting means at its ineffective position in opposition to said yielding means; and remote control means to release said latch means after the shackle unit is engaged with the support means.

'9. In an aircraft having a bomb bay normally closed by door means, the combination therewith of apparatus for an aerial bomb, said apparatus including: a support means mounted on the aircraft; a shackle unit adapted for releasable engagement both with said support means and with said bomb; electrical actuating means carried by said shackle unit to release said bomb; an electric control on the aircraft for operating said electrical actuating means; electrical connecting means carried by the aircraft for interconnecting said electric control and said electrical actuating means when said shackle unit is en-' gaged with said support means, said electrical connecting means being movable between an ineffective position and an effective position, said electrical connecting means at said effective position blocking the path of movement of'the trical connecting means to its ineffective posi tion to permit engagement of the shackle unit with the support means; remote control means actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to release the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; an electrical control on the aircraft for operating said electrical actuating means; a plurality of electrical connecting means carried by the aircraft corresponding to said plurality of shackle units for connecting said electrical control with the electrical actuating means on the shackle units, each of said electrical connecting means being movable between an ineifective position and an effective position; each of said electrical connecting means at its effective position blocking the path of movement of the corresponding shackle unit with respect to said support means; yielding means urging each of said electrical connecting means to said effective position; latch means to hold each of said electrical connecting means at its ineifective position in opposition to said yielding means to clear said path; and control means to release said latch means after said shackle units are operatively engaged with said support means.

12. In an aircraft having a bomb bay normally closed by door means, the combination therewith of apparatus for a. plurality of aerial bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by the aircraft; a plurality of shackle units adapted for releasable engagement with said support means, each shackle unit being adapted for releasable engagement with one of said bombs; electrical actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to release the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; an electrical control on the aircraft for operating said electrical actuating means; a plurality of electrical connecting means carried by the aircraft corresponding to said plurality of shackle units for connecting said electrical control with the electrical actuating means on the shackle units, each of said electrical connecting means being movable between an ineffective position and an effective position; and a control means effective to cause all 01 said electrical 21 connecting means to move to said effective positions automatically when said door means is closed after such shackle units are engaged with said support means.

13. In an aircraft having a bomb bay normally closed by door means, the combination therewith of apparatus for a plurality of aerial bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by the aircraft; a plurality of shackle units adapted for releasable engagement with said support means, each shackle unit being adapted for releasable engagement with one of said bombs; electrical actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to release the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; an electrical control on the aircraft for operating said electrical actuating :means; a plurality of electrical connecting means carried by the aircraft corresponding to said plurality of shackle units for connecting said ,electrical control with the electrical actuating,

means on the shackle units, each of said electrical connecting means being movable between an ineffective position and an effective position, each of said electrical connecting means at its effective position having a portion in the path of and blocking engagement of the corresponding shackle unit with said support means; yielding means urging each of said electrical connecting meansto its effective position; latch means to hold each of said electrical connecting means at its ineffective position in opposition to said yielding means; and automatic means effective to release all of said latch means when said door means is closed after said plurality of shackle units are engaged with said support means.

14. An apparatus for use with an aerial bomb on an aircraft, said apparatus comprising: a support means mounted on the aircraft; a shackle unit including a casing adapted for releasable attachment to said support means at a shackle station on the support means; engagement means carried by said shackle unit, said engagement means being movable between a release position and an effective position to engage and support said bomb, whereby said shackle unit may be engaged with said bomb outside the aircraft and then with the bomb attached thereto may be moved into the aircraft into engagement with said support means; yielding means to urge said engagement means to its release position; means to latch said engagement means in said effective position in opposition to said yielding means, said casing enclosing said latch means to prevent release of said engagement means while said bomb is attached to-said shackle unit apart from said support means; electrical actuating means carried by said shackle unit to release said latch; a, firing control on the aircraft adapted to control the energization of said electrical actuating means while the shackle unit is attached to said support means; a remote control means movable from a normal position to a firing position and to an emergency position; means responsive to said remote control means to prevent release of said latch means when said remote control means is in said normal position and to permit release of said latch means when said remote control means is at said firing position; and mechanical means carried by said shackle unit to release said latch means independently of said electrical actuating means, said mechanical means being responsive to movement of said remote control means to said emergency position.

-15. In an aircraft having a bomb bay normally closed by door means, the combination therewith 22 of apparatus for transporting and releasing an aerial bomb, said apparatus comprising: a support means mounted on the aircraft; a shackle unit adapted for releasable attachment to said support means at a shackle station on the support means: engagement means carried by said shackle unit, said engagement means being movable between a release position and an effective position to engage and support said bomb, whereby said shackle unit may be'engaged with said bomb outside the aircraft and then with the bomb attached thereto may be moved into the aircraft into engagement with said support means; yielding means to urge said engagement means to its release position; means to latch said engagement means in said effective position in opposition to said yielding means; electrical actuating means carried by said shackle unit to release said latch; switch means on the aircraft adapted to control the energization of said electrical' actuating means while the shackle unit is attached to said support means; a remote control means movable from a normal position to a firing position; means to open said door means in re.- sponse to movement of said control means from said normal position to said firing position; and means responsive to said remote control means to prevent release of said latch means when said re-" mote control means is in said normal position and to permit release of saidlatch means when said remote control means is at said firing position.

16. In an aircraft having a bomb bay normally closed by door means, the combination therewith of apparatus for transporting and releasing an aerial bomb, said apparatus comprising: a support means mounted on the aircraft; a shackle unit adapted for releasable attachment to said support means at a shackle station on the support means; engagement means carried by said shackle unit, said engagement means being movable between a release position and an effective position to' engage and support said bomb, whereby said shackle unit may be engaged with said bomb outside the aircraft and then with the bomb at tached thereto may be moved into the aircraft into engagement with said support means; yielding means to urge said engagement means to its release position: means to latch said engagement means in said effective position in opposition 'to said yielding means; electrical actuating means carried by said shackle unit to release said latch; switch means on the aircraft adapted to control the energization of said electrical actuating means while the shackle unit is attached to said support means; a remote control means movable from a normal position to a firing position and to an emergency position; means to open said door means in response to movement of said remote control means away from said normal position; means responsive to said remote control means to. prevent release of said latch means when said remote control means is in said normal position and to permit release of said latch means when said remote control means is at said firing posisupport means .having a series of shacklestameans to said emergency tions for sequential release of the bombs: a-plurality of shackle units adapted for releasable engalcment with said support means, each shackle unit, being adapted for releasable engagement with one of said bombs, whereby said shackle unit may be engaged with said bomb outside the aircraft and then with the bomb attached thereto may be moved into the aircraft into engagement with said support means; electrical actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to cause release of the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; a circuit including conductors to each of said shackle stations for energization of said electrical actuating means; a switch means for controlling said circuit; and skip switches in said circuit at said shackle stations, each of said skip switches having a first position to transmit current to the corresponding shackle unit and having a second position to transmit the current to'the next shackle station, each of said skip switches being biased toward its second position and having means movable to said first position in response to engagement of the corresponding shackle with said support means.-

18. An apparatus for use in an aircraft to transport and release bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by the aircraft, said support means having a series of shackle stations for sequential release of the bombs; a plurality of shackle units; freely actuable means on said support means at each of said stations for freely receiving and releasably supporting the respective shackle unit, each shackle unit being adapted for releasable engagement with/ one of said bombs; electrical actuating means can ried by each of said shackle units to release the b omb engaged by the shackle unit; a control circuit including conductors to each of said shackle stations and conductors in each 'of said shackle units; and skip switches in said shackle units in said circuit, each of said skip switches having a first position to transmit current to the electrical actuating means in the shackle unit and having a second position to transmit the current away from said actuating means to the next shackle station, each of said skip switches having means movable from said first position to said second position in response to bomb-releaes operation of the shackle unit, whereby release of a bomb by one shackle unit automatically causes the next succeeding shackle unit in the sequence to become responsive to said master switch means.

19. An apparatus for use in an aircraft to transport and release bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by the aircraft, said support means having a-series of shackle stations for sequential release of the bombs; a plurality of shackle units adapted for releasable engagement with said support means, each shackle unit being adapted for releasable engagement with one of said bombs; electrical actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to release the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; a control circuit including conductors to each of said shackle stations and conductors in each of said shackle units; a first series of skip switches in said circuit at said shackle stations separate from said shackle units, each of said skip switches having a first position to transmit current to the corresponding shackle unit and a second position to transmit the current to the next shackle station in the sequence,each or said skip switches being biased toward its second position and having means movable to said first position in response to engagement of the corresponding shackle unit with said support means; and a second series of skip switches in said circuit in said shackle units, each of said skip switches of the second series having a' first position to transmit current to the electrical actuating means in the shackle unit and having a second position to transmit the current to the next shackle station. each of said skip switches of said second series having means movable from said first position to said second position in response to bomb-release operation of the corresponding shackle unit.

20. An apparatus for use in an aircraft to transport and release bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by the aircraft, said support means having a series of shackle stations for sequential release of the bombs; a plurality of shackle units adapted to be removably mounted on said support means at said stations, each shackle unit being adapted for releasable engagement with one of said bombs; electrical actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to release the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; a control circuit on the aircraft includina' conductors to each of said shackle stations for energization of said actuating means; electrical connecting means on the aircraft at each of said shackle stations for connecting said conductors to the electrical actuating means in the corresponding shackle unit when the shackle unit is mounted on said support means, each of said electrical connecting means being movable from an ineffective position to an effective position and beyond the effective position to a third position,

each of said shackle units having means adapted when mounted to stop the corresponding electrical connecting means at its eflfe'ctive position; control means to cause movement of all of said electrical connecting means from their ineffective positions toward their third positions; and skip switches included in said control circuit at said shackle stations, each of said skip switches having a first position to transmit current to the corresponding shackle unit and a second position to transmit the current to the next shackle station, each of said skip switches being biased toward its second position and having means movable to said first position in response to movement of the corresponding electrical connecting means at the shackle station from the effective position of the electrical connecting means to the third position of the electrical connecting means, whereby the omission of a shackle unit results in said circuit being established to the succeeding shackle station.

21. An apparatus for use in an aircraft to transport and release bombs, said apparatus including: a support means carried by'the aircraft, said support means having a series of shackle stations for sequential release of the bombs; a plurality of shackle units adapted to be removably mounted on said support means, each shackle unit being adapted for releasable engagement with one of said bombs; electrical actuating means carried by each of said shackle units to release the bomb engaged by the shackle unit; a control circuit including conductors to each of said shackle stations and conductors in each of said shackle units from the corresponding shackle stations; electrical connecting means in said circuit on the aircraft at each of said shackle stations for establishing electrical connection with the corresponding shackle unit when the shackle unit is engaged with said support means, each of said- 

